Inaccuracy and Brown combined made up the difference.
We were wasteful at the start, but also in our purple patch in the third term we could have slammed home one or two more goals in that time. Just like the final last year, we wasted opportunities and they came back to haunt us. We shouldn't be happy with this loss, although we shouldn't be entirely disappointed. There was a lot to like about the Blues tonight.
I thought our forward line is developing nicely. Henderson and Setanta gave us 7 goals between them, provided contests, pressured opponents and had a real crack tonight. Betts had a disappointing night kicking 0.4, and hopefully he can make amends next weekend. Also liked the way the midfielders would run hard and provide goals for us too. If anything that alone will be a strength against the Bombers next week.
Our backline was good I thought. Make no mistake, there is a reason why Brown is being compared to Wayne Carey (even if it is considered a silly comparison). Just the way he is able to slot goals from anywhere in and outside 50 with precision and take the strong grabs means he is a challenge for any backman. Fevola was well-held, although to be honest he played second fiddle to Brown tonight. But on the other hand, Fev kicked 2 goals in the first quarter then only kicked one more after that.
The midfield stood up tonight I thought. Got overrran in the last quarter, but the signs were definitely there that Gibbs and Murphy, and even McLean stood up in Judd's absence. Kreuzer was his usual, reliable, no-frills, hard-running self, and Warnock looked alright in the ruck too. Just on Robbie, I wouldn't be kicking to him overhead too often. Doesn't seem to have the overhead strength quite yet, and I noticed on a number of occasions that his lack of strength in that area got exposed. It's not a knock on him, as I'm sure it will continue to improve as the year goes on.
Again, I'm not happy about the loss but I'm not disappointed. Plenty of positives to come out of tonight. I look forward to next week when the boys will be out for blood against Essendon*.

McLean was good again tonight - without taking anything from the other mids...